My knees hit the rough grains of salt scattered across the marble floor. Pain shot through my legs instantly, sharp and burning, but the humiliation hurt far more.
Dozens of people watched as I knelt there. Some looked away awkwardly, others stared openly. I heard hushed murmurs, and somewhere, a phone camera clicked. Tears slid down my cheeks, falling onto the salt that soon turned red as my skin scraped open.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to shift and tear everything apart. But my wolf remained weak, crushed beneath Xavier’s Alpha aura.
Then—
“May I have everyone’s attention!” the announcer’s voice rang out. “It’s time for a special message from Miss Victoria Blackwell on behalf of her son, Liam!”
All eyes shifted to the stage. Victoria walked up gracefully, dabbing at her fake tears. I remained kneeling, trembling, blood slowly staining the salt beneath me.
She smiled into the microphone. “Thank you all for being here,” she began warmly. “I prepared a small presentation for my son.”
The lights dimmed.
The screen flickered on.
But instead of cheerful birthday images, a sound echoed through the speakers.
Ah… Xavier… don’t stop…
Gasps rippled through the hall. My heart lurched.